Dog Cancer Questionnaire Page 2

Is your dog in pain?*

A pain-free dog is generally content, relaxed, playful, affectionate and engaged. While some tumors cause pain, not all do, especially in cancer’s early stages. The signs of a dog in pain are listed below. Please check all that apply to your dog:

Limping

Doesn’t want to be touched

Resistance to using a certain area of the body.

Bunny-hopping

Vocalizing (whimpering, whining, yelping for “no reason”)

Unusual Panting

Unusual Trembling

Resistance to climbing stairs or getting up on furniture

Guarding: hunching over as in a stomach ache

Straining to urinate or defecate

Listless or apathetic behavior

Lack of appetite

Lack of engagement (isolating, withdrawn, refusing to play or walk)

Aggression

My dog doesn’t have any of these symptoms

Your approach to dog cancer treatments*

Dr. Dressler, author of the best-selling book The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, points out that every dog owner has different approaches and ideas when it comes to treating their dog’s cancer. But it seems as if most dog owners fit into one of three types. Please read the following descriptions of each type, and choose the one that is closest to your own personality and point of view.

Type A: “I will do everything I can to stop the cancer. Quality of life is important, and my main goal is to keep my dog alive for as long as possible, so he has every chance to beat the cancer. I understand that side effects can occur, as a result of treatment and I’m willing to deal with them when they arise. The risk is worth it, because the ultimate payoff is remission and/or more time with my dog.”

Type B: “I want to keep my dog’s life quality high, while prolonging her life as much as possible. I understand that there may be some side effects with treatment and I’m willing to deal with them as they arise. However, if they are too extreme, I will not be happy. My main goal is to balance life quality and life expectancy.”

Type C: “I want to keep my dog as comfortable as possible. I understand that side effects may arise as a result of treatments, and I want to avoid any but the most minor. My main concern is my dog’s quality of life, so, I am not willing to prolong life, if life quality suffers.”

Every day tens of thousands of dog lovers visit this site, pick up a copy of The Dog Cancer Survival Guide, and find out there are many, many things we can do for our dogs with cancer. See their "True Tails" and get inspired to help your dog, too.